Supermarkets demand longer ‘busiest Sunday’

Two of Britain’s biggest supermarkets are demanding a relaxation of strict Sunday Trading laws on what is expected to be the busiest day of the year for Christmas food shopping.

Morrisons and Asda have written to Business and Enterprise Minister Michael Fallon to warn that the last time December 23 fell on a Sunday, store staff experienced ‘verbal abuse’ and customers embarked on a ‘panic buying’ spree when they realised stores were due to close at 4pm.

The letter is signed by Asda chief executive Andy Clarke and Morrisons chief executive Dalton Philips.

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Supermarkets are understood to have initially lodged a request with former Business Minister Mark Prisk.

But sources said recently they had
grown concerned because they had been given ‘mixed signals’ over whether
the plan was still being considered.

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December 23 is always the busiest
because most people put off buying fresh food until as near as possible
to Christmas before spending Christmas Eve at home dealing with their
festive finishing touches.

Stores of more than 3,000 sq ft are restricted to six hours of trading on a Sunday.

This was relaxed during the Olympics to allow retailers to capitalise on the Games.

Fallon said he had received the letter and was considering the proposals.